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Vietnamese cuisine has long been a captivating magnet for international tourists, especially those from South Korea. The curiosity and fondness of Koreans extend beyond culinary experiences while traveling in Vietnam. Significantly, young Koreans are showing a clear trend of actively seeking out and experiencing Vietnamese flavors right in their own homeland. From dishes considered specialties to everyday snacks, everything has the potential to become a viral trend after just one post on social media.
Surprisingly, many Vietnamese snacks, familiar and closely associated with the daily lives of Vietnamese people, once caused a huge sensation in South Korea. These snacks created a frenzy, causing Koreans to frantically search for them and post numerous photos on social media platforms.
Quang Nam coconut cake
Around 2019, Quang Nam coconut cake became an unexpected sensation in South Korea. No one could specifically explain why this seemingly simple cake resonated so strongly and quickly became a viral phenomenon. While the reason remains a mystery, the appeal of Quang Nam coconut cake is undeniable.
Vietnamese baked coconut cake has been a hot item in South Korea from last year to this year.
Young people in South Korea have enthusiastically shared images and experiences of this pastry on popular social media platforms like Instagram and Naver blogs. They didn't just take photos for social media check-ins; they also invested time and effort into writing detailed reviews, meticulously describing the pastry's distinctive rich flavor, appealing chewiness, and unique texture.
Quang Nam's specialty, baked coconut cake, has captivated young Koreans.
This trend spread so widely that online shops in South Korea quickly seized the opportunity. They began importing directly or sourcing and reselling this coconut cake, meeting the huge demand from young consumers. Even Korean tourists visiting Vietnam make sure to buy Quang Nam coconut cakes as souvenirs. This cake has become one of the "must-try foods" to bring home.
A traditional Vietnamese snack.
Vietnamese coffee
Vietnamese coffee has long been familiar to international friends, and its appeal has spread strongly within the coffee-loving community in South Korea. Notably, not only traditional Vietnamese filter coffee but also instant coffee brands have created a real sensation in South Korea. Three names stand out as the biggest hits and "phenomena" among Korean youth: Cong Coffee (including its convenient packaged instant version), the legendary G7, and especially Archcafé's unique coconut cappuccino.
Vietnamese coffee, especially coconut coffee, is very popular among Koreans.
On South Korean social media platforms, unboxing videos, flavor reviews, and brewing tutorials for Vietnamese coffee have attracted hundreds of thousands of views, even millions of interactions. Young Koreans seek out these products not only for their distinctive, rich flavor but also for the novel experience they offer. For them, enjoying Vietnamese coffee is like a fascinating "culinary journey," allowing them to discover a part of Vietnam's unique coffee culture and style right in their homeland.
Besides its delicious flavor, the price is also a plus point that makes Vietnamese instant coffee easily accessible to customers.
Even now, the appeal of Vietnamese instant coffee remains undiminished. It is still popular and widely available throughout South Korea, a testament to its lasting influence and firm place in the hearts of Korean coffee lovers.
Therefore, many South Korean tourists visiting Vietnam often buy a lot of coffee for personal use or as gifts.
Tipo Egg Cake
Following the coconut cake craze, another Vietnamese local delicacy quickly caught the attention of Korean youth: Tipo egg tarts. Tipo's popularity exploded and rapidly dominated social media platforms. Numerous images showcasing Tipo packages accompanied by the hashtag #티포 (Tipo in Korean) appeared continuously, dominating Instagram and online forums for an extended period, demonstrating the widespread popularity and reach of this treat.
Tipo is a Vietnamese pastry brand, and its egg tarts, in particular, have become incredibly popular among young people in South Korea.
Faced with soaring demand, convenience stores in South Korea quickly seized the opportunity. They not only actively imported the product but also accompanied it with incredibly appealing advertisements, emphasizing the biscuits' outstanding characteristics such as "crispy and fragrant with egg flavor," and "mildly sweet with milky taste." These advertisements stimulated the curiosity and desire of Korean consumers to try them, turning Tipo biscuits into a highly sought-after product.
Tipo cookies, made with premium eggs and milk powder, offer a sweet, crispy texture and a rich eggy flavor that is loved by many tourists in Korea. Many visitors, after trying them, even buy them as souvenirs to take home.
At that time, Tipo cookies were just as popular as any other "hot" snack on the Korean market. They quickly became one of the "must-try" foods that young Koreans talked about, at least for a period.
